[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 84 (Wednesday, April 30, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23500-23501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-9428]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration


Notice of Affirmative Decisions on Petitions for Modification 
Granted in Whole or in Part

AGENCY: Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), Labor.

ACTION: Notice of Affirmative Decisions on Petitions for Modification 
Granted in Whole or in Part.

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SUMMARY: The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enforces mine 
operator compliance with mandatory safety and health standards that 
protect miners and improve safety and health conditions in U.S. Mines. 
This Federal Register Notice (FR Notice) notifies the public that it 
has investigated and issued a final decision on certain mine operator 
petitions to modify a safety standard.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the final decisions are posted on MSHA's Web Site 
at http://www.msha.gov/indexes/petition.htm. The public may inspect the 
petitions and final decisions during normal business hours in MSHA's 
Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances, 1100 Wilson Boulevard, 
Room 2349, Arlington, Virginia 22209. All visitors must first stop at 
the receptionist desk on the 21st Floor to sign-in.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lawrence D. Reynolds, Office of 
Standards, Regulations, and Variances at 202-693-9449 (Voice), 
[email protected] (E-mail), or 202-693-9441 (Telefax), or 
Barbara Barron at 202-693-9447 (Voice), [email protected] (E-
mail), or 202-693-9441 (Telefax). [These are not toll-free numbers.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

    Under section 101 of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 
1977, a mine operator may petition and the Secretary of Labor 
(Secretary) may modify the application of a mandatory safety standard 
to that mine if the Secretary determines that: (1) an alternative 
method exists that will guarantee no less protection for the miners 
affected than that provided by the standard; or (2) that the 
application of the standard will result in a diminution of safety to 
the affected miners.
    MSHA bases the final decision on the petitioner's statements, any 
comments and information submitted by interested persons, and a field 
investigation of the conditions at the mine. In some instances, MSHA 
may approve a petition for modification on the condition that the mine 
operator complies with other requirements noted in the decision.

II. Granted Petitions for Modification

    On the basis of the findings of MSHA's investigation, and as 
designee of the Secretary, MSHA has granted or partially granted the 
following petitions for modification:
     Docket Number: M-2006-075-C.
    FR Notice: 71 FR 70550 (December 5, 2006).
    Petitioner: San Juan Coal Company, P.O. Box 561, Waterflow, New 
Mexico 87421.
    Mine: San Juan South Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 29-02170, located in San 
Juan County, New Mexico.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1700 (Oil and gas wells).

     Docket Number: M-2006-081-C.
    FR Notice: 72 FR 8202 (February 23, 2007).
    Petitioner: Oak Grove Resources, LLC, 8800 Oak Grove Mine Road, 
Adger, Alabama 35006.
    Mine: Oak Grove Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 01-00851, located in Jefferson 
County, Alabama.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.507 (Power connection points).

     Docket Number: M-2007-013-C.
    FR Notice: 72 FR 31859 (June 8, 2007).
    Petitioner: TJS Mining Company, Inc., 2340 Smith Road, Shelocta, 
Pennsylvania 15774.
    Mine: Rossmoyne No. 1 Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 36-09075, located in 
Indiana County, Pennsylvania.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.503 (Permissible electric face 
equipment; maintenance) and 30 CFR 18.35 (Portable (trailing) cables 
and cords).

     Docket Number: M-2007-018-C.
    FR Notice: 72 FR 30396 (May 31, 2007).
    Petitioner: TJS Mining Company, Inc., 2340 Smith Road, Shelocta, 
Pennsylvania 15774.

[[Page 23501]]

    Mine: Darmac 2 Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 36-08135, located in 
Armstrong County, Pennsylvania.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.503 (Permissible electric face 
equipment; maintenance) and 30 CFR 18.35 (Portable (trailing) cables 
and cords).

     Docket Number: M-2007-040-C.
    FR Notice: 72 FR 39465 (July 18, 2007).
    Petitioner: UAE CoalCorp Associates, One Harmony Road, P.O. Box 
0306, Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania 17851.
    Mine: Harmony Mine, I.D. No. 36-07838, located in Columbia County, 
Pennsylvania.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1400 (Hoisting equipment; general).

     Docket Number: M-2007-041-C.
    FR Notice: 72 FR 39465 (July 18, 2007).
    Petitioner: Brooks Run Mining Company, LLC, 25 Little Birch Road, 
Sutton, West Virginia 25601.
    Mine: Cucumber Mine, I.D. No. 46-09066, located in McDowell County, 
West Virginia.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.503 (Permissible electric face 
equipment; maintenance) and 30 CFR 18.35 (Portable (trailing) cables 
and cords).

     Docket Number: M-2007-043-C.
    FR Notice: 72 FR 45829 (August 15, 2007).
    Petitioner: Consolidation Coal Company, 1800 Washington Road, 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241.
    Mine: Robinson Run No. 95 Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 46-01318, located in 
Harrison County, West Virginia.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.503 (Permissible electric face 
equipment; maintenance) and 30 CFR 18.35 (Portable (trailing) cables 
and cords).

     Docket Number: M-2007-047-C.
    FR Notice: 72 FR 45830 (August 15, 2007).
    Petitioner: Blue Diamond Coal Company, P.O. Box 47, Slemp, Kentucky 
41763.
    Mine: 77 Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 15-09636, located in Perry 
County, Kentucky.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.364(b)(2) (Weekly examination).

     Docket Number: M-2007-055-C.
    FR Notice: 72 FR 53265 (September 18, 2007).
    Petitioner: Chestnut Coal Company, RR 3, Box 142, Sunbury, 
Pennsylvania 17801.
    Mine: No. 13 Slope Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 36-09475, located in 
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1200(d) and (i) (Mine Map).

     Docket Number: M-2007-056-C.
    FR Notice: 72 FR 53266 (September 18, 2007).
    Petitioner: Chestnut Coal Company, RR 3, Box 142, Sunbury, 
Pennsylvania.
    Mine: No. 13 Slope Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 36-09475, located in 
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1202-1(a) (Temporary notations, 
revisions and supplements).

     Docket Number: M-2007-057-C.
    FR Notice: 72 FR 53266 (September 18, 2007).
    Petitioner: Chestnut Coal Company, RR 3, Box 142, Sunbury, 
Pennsylvania.
    Mine: No. 13 Slope Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 36-09475, located in 
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.1400 (Hoisting equipment; general).

     Docket Number: M-2007-061-C.
    FR Notice: 72 FR 65077 (November 19, 2007).
    Petitioner: D & R Coal Company, Inc., P.O. Box 728, Barbourville, 
Kentucky 40906.
    Mine: Mine No. 3, MSHA I.D. No. 15-19018, located in Knox County, 
Kentucky.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.342 (Methane monitors).

     Docket Number: M-2007-062-C.
    FR Notice: 72 FR 65077 (November 19, 2007).
    Petitioner: D & R Coal Company, P.O. Box 728, Barbourville, 
Kentucky 40906.
    Mine: Mine No. 3, MSHA I.D. No. 15-19018, Knox County, Kentucky.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 75.380(f)(4)(i) (Escapeways; bituminous 
and lignite mines).

     Docket Number: M-2007-064-C.
    FR Notice: 72 FR 65077 (November 19, 2007).
    Petitioner: Stirrat Coal Company, P.O. Box 279, Louisa, Kentucky 
41230.
    Mine: Preparation Plant, MSHA I.D. No. 46-2515, located in Logan 
County, West Virginia.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 77.214(a) (Refuse piles; general).

     Docket Number: M-2007-009-M.
    FR Notice: 72 FR 59309 (October 19, 2007).
    Petitioner: Unimin Specialty Minerals, Inc., 48 West Boscawen 
Street, Winchester, Virginia 22601.
    Mine: Elco Mine, MSHA I.D. No. 11-01981, located in Alexander 
County, Illinois.
    Regulation Affected: 30 CFR 56.13020 (Use of compressed air).

Jack Powasnik,
Deputy Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.
 [FR Doc. E8-9428 Filed 4-29-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-43-P